The Easiest Products for Brilliant Cheeks

 Everyone knows I’m a sucker for blushes, but a bronzer has also come into my life and swept me off my feet so I’ve included it in this cheek-central post. Any of these products can turn your cheeks into sexy apples of awesomeness with just a few flicks of the brush, and so I’ve deemed myself a loyal cheek lover (no, not that sort!)

 

Though I’ve had iffy experiences with the strong spicy scent of Covergirl powders in the past, these blushes don’t tend to send the scent up my snoz so it hasn’t been a problem thus far. The first shade, 185 True Plum, came to me by way of a swap, and sprung forth an addiction that thankfully doesn’t hurt the coin purse. Retailing for a mere $9.95, I’ve seen these go half price at a few stores and have even coerced my non-blush-wearing older sister to pass 120 Soft Sable through the checkout.  I also own the other shade available in Australia,  105 Rose Silk, but have my eye on some US only shades that may be flung my way via ebay.

Now back to bronzers, and my on-off relationship with the meddlesome buggers. Being so fair I glow when in a nightclub (and not in the good way!) I need a bronzer to be brown toned but not too pigmented, and easily blendable. Clinique sent this grinder style Superbalanced Bronzer*($65AUD) my way quite a while ago, and my love for it is really standing the test of time. I have the lighter of two shades (Bronzed 1) and love the way I can shave off a fresh wee slice o’ sunshine every morning with ease. The packaging, yes, quite bulky, but is overpowered by its awesomeness.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be off searching for new Covergirl blush shades to add to my collection…

 

*Clinique Bronzer, as stated, was sent for consideration. It’s awesomeness is evident though. Honesty, always.

My Shopping the Stash Look

I will just come right out and say it...I am not a morning person. Even with a coffee in my system I am a slow starter, so having a 'go-to' look is key to being able to take part in pre-12am activities on my days off. My mum always waits until the last minute to ask if I'd like to head out for a coffee, and she gets ready in about 2 minutes flat so it is always a rush to get ready-fast!

I basically reach for things that are fail safe, and that I can literally throw onto my face and still walk out of the house looking presentable. I'm trying to use up my Bourjois Healthymix #52 even though it is a tad too dark for me at the moment. It leaves such a lovely finish and though I powder it when I wear it to help it last longer, it leaves me glowy (in a good way, not a shiny way)

MAC's Jaunty has been featuring heavily on my lids, I think I wore it 4 days last week and am still loving it (in fact I have it on as I'm writing this!) I have been throwing MAC's Coquette through the crease and along the outer third of my lower lashline, and I must say I am loving the effect.

After feeling a bit 'meh' about my Revlon Grow Luscious mascara I threw Face of Australia's Impact Curl mascara into my daily makeup bag, and so far it is love <3 I picked up the Clinique Bottom Lash mascara for $2 when I visited the Estee Lauder staff store recently, and the teeny tiny brush is great for coating each and every bottom lash, so I've been looking pretty wide eyed!

I've been choosing lipgloss over lipstick as I am scared that I will break another lipstick (2 so far, including a Burberry Lip Mist!) Gloss is so much easier to carry around in any weather, and the Sportsgirl Liquid Lipsticks have great pigmentation and I love the way they smell. I've been wearing Luscious quite a bit with this look.

 This look is from another day during the week which uses all of the same products except I have Nars Turkish Delight on my lips. I went out with Melissa for brunch the other day and she had it on, and it has been in my handbag ever since because it looks great on her. The blush I'm wearing in all of these photos is my Covergirl True Plum, which is one of the greatest blushes in my collection, and my Clinique Superbalanced bronzer.

Having a quick and easy look that makes me feel a million dollars is the key to a little extra sleep in the mornings, and being able to make use of things in my collection that haven't been getting much love is a bonus.

How often do you shop your stash?
What do you think of my quick and easy look?
How could I change it up?

 

 

 *True Plum came to me by way of a swap, and the Clinique bronzer was sent for review. Honesty, always.

 

Stars and Darkness

The other morning, MAC's Stars and Rockets eyeshadow was staring up at me whispering 'use meee, I promise I'll try and be flattering!' and so I decided to give it a shot!

I find purples hard to work with as I don't feel that they suit me very much, but I was quite happy with the duochrome sheen that Stars and Rockets gave my eyes. I used it all over the lid (and along lower lashline) with Fyrinnae's Princess of Darkness on the outer v for some depth. I am head over heels for both shades, they are really beautiful.

Products Used:

Bourjois Healthymix Foundation #52

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder

MAC 'Stars and Rockets'

Fyrinnae 'Princess of Darkness'

MAC 'Nylon'

Urban Decay Virgin

Australis Lash Length Extension mascara*

essence gel liner in Midnight in Paris

BYS Brow & Eye pencil

Covergirl blush in True Plum

essence 'me&my icecream' gloss

How do you wear purple eye colours?

Do you like this look?

*This product was provided for consideration. Honesty,always.

Mums Marvellous Makeover!

I thought that posting these gorgeous shots of my Mama was appropriate considering that Mothers Day is looming (Sunday 13th, in case you were unaware!) Mum rarely wears more than a swipe of liner or eyeshadow, but often asks me to muck around with my stash and make her over as we watch daytime TV on my days off.

I decided to try out a smoky eye look on her, and I don't think I've ever seen her with so much makeup on! She asked if I would do her makeup 'with some black eye shadow, I didn't even know black shadow existed!' She was actually dumbfounded when she saw me open a palette to reveal a black pan! How cute is that!?

I used a few new release products that I'm roadtesting at the moment, including a great smoky palette from bargain Australian brand BYS, which I'll be reviewing in detail next week. Here is a look at the new Animal Instincts* palette...

I used a mixture of all of the shades to create this look, along with the Jane Iredale Mystikol* powdered eyeliner and highlight duo (I only used the powdered eyeliner side for this look) This in part of a beautiful gift set that Jane Iredale has produced in time for Mothers Day, which I will be sharing with you this week.

The Jane Iredale lip plumper in Tokyo is the perfect shade for my Mum, I was elated when I popped it on her! It is also part of the new Jane Iredale gift set, and can be worn sheer or built up for a nice rosy glow on the lips. Mum noticed the tingling sensation after I applied it, but she couldn't decide if she liked the effect or not. I personally love a good tingle in my plumping products!

I wanted to see what Mum would look like with my favourite blush on, and I think it looks fab on her. Covergirl True Plum is a stunner, I've tried it on my sister as well and she looked amazing,too. What a winner of a shade!

I think the look works when Mum pops her glasses on as well, it still stands out and defines her eyes beyond her lenses. I think I will have to bite the bullet and get glasses soon, so it was nice to try out a look specifically for that. I used a bit of powder over her face to set the blush and just provide the slightest bit of coverage all over, as Mum doesn't wear foundation or anything like that.

What do you think of my Mums makeover?!

Do your family members ever rope you in to make them over?

What are your plans for Mothers Day?

(Items marked * were provided for consideration. Honesty, always.)